MINDEMOYA—The municipality of Central Manitoulin is once again having a study done of its arenas and recreation infrastructure, despite the concerns raised by one of its councillors.
“I have been on council over 20 years, and we have talked about what to do with our community centres and arenas many times over the years,” stated Councillor Derek Stephens at a council meeting last week. “Now we are bringing in a consultant to do another study for almost $200,000. We could have almost built a new arena 20 years ago for that.”
“I look forward to the study being carried out,” said Councillor Brian Mitchell. “We have been working and reworking the numbers and what we can do.”
Mayor Richard Stephens said, “We all know we can’t get things done for the same costs as 20 years ago. Hopefully, with this study we get something that is feasible and workable.”
Council passed a motion “that report PROP-14-01 Results of RFPO 07-2024 Consulting Services: Recreation Infrastructure and Arenas Planning be received and further that the proposal submitted by 3rd Line Consulting and Perkins and Will in response to RFP 07-2024 be awarded the contract in the amount of $146,190 plus HST for tendered scope of work.”
Later in the meeting council passed a motion to have the recreation infrastructure committee be dissolved, having fulfilled its function now that a consultant has been hired to guide the next phase of the project.
“I would like to thank the committee for all their work over the years,” said Councillor Stephens. “The committee has been carried over from council to council, and they have got this to the point that we now have a consultant looking at this infrastructure. I think a letter should be go out from the municipality thanking these volunteers for all their work over the years.”
